Brazil's under-fire Menezes backed by CFB boss

11 August 2011 06:00

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has the backing of CFB president Ricardo Teixeira even though the South American's 3-2 loss to Germany means back-to-back defeats after last month's Copa America exit.

"The work will continue in the same vein. We had already expected these difficulties," said Brazil Football Confederation (CFB) president Teixeira in the wake of Wednesday night's defeat.

"The CBF will choose tougher opponents for the Brazil national side.

"The project has not changed, Mano will gain the knowledge this team needs."

Second-half goals in Stuttgart by teenager Neymar and Robinho were not enough to stop Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Goetze and Andre Schuerrle netting to seal the hosts' first win over Brazil since 1993.

As hosts of the 2014 World Cup, Brazil face a dearth of meaningful games over the next three years and Teixeira is looking for big-name opposition to test his star-packed team.

Wednesday's defeat was Menezes's 365th day in office having taken over from ex-captain Dunga as Brazil coach after his team's quarter-final defeat to Holland at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He has endured a tough first year, using 60 players in total, and defeat in the quarter-finals of the Copa America in Argentina last month has put him under pressure.

Defeat to the Germans was Menezes's third loss as national coach with six wins and four draws.

"The fans want us to win the 2014 title at home so we can celebrate with them," said Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

"They want to hear we'll do it, but they don't want to hear that they need to have patience, because football is all about results.

"And if they do not hear what we are saying, then the pressure will just grow."

Teixeria knows the 180 million football-mad Brazilians at home are getting nervous, because for all their talent, the five-time World Cup champions are mis-firing.

Individuals like teenage prodigy Neymar and AC Milan pair Robinho and Alexandre Pato all showed flashes of brilliance on the pitch in Stuttgart, but the South Americans were out-played by the Germans.

"Since I took over the national team a year ago, this was the first team that has played better than us," admitted Menezes.

"Germany must serve as a yard stick and that is why we need more matches at this level.

"There is no point sitting around waiting for miracles.

"We have to work hard to eliminate the individual mistakes we made in defence."